There is only one difference between a good community and an incredible community: The amount of help given to the less fortunate.

Incredible communities understand that lifting up their neighbors in need is an investment that pays social and economic dividends. They understand, for example, that it ultimately costs less to pay one month’s rent for a working single mother facing eviction than it does to leave her family homeless, reliant on the costly “system.”

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More importantly, incredible communities understand that caring enough to help is just plain the right thing to do.

As president of the Greater Lakes Association of Realtors, I am challenging our incredible community to support their area Salvation Army this holiday season by giving or bell ringing. The Salvation Army is single most important safety net, providing food, clothing, youth programs, housing assistance and so much more for our neighbors in crisis, 365 days a year.

My colleagues and I will be rising to that challenge on Friday, Dec. 9 during Realtor Ring Day, when local real estate professionals will staff select kettle locations all day long. Please stop by, say hi and drop a few dollars into our kettles.

When you get home, do The Salvation Army one better by signing up to bell ring. Just two hours of bell ringing typically raises enough money to feed and shelter a person for two days. To sign up or learn more about your local Salvation Army, visit www.thesalarmy.org.

The Greater Lakes Association of Realtors is proud to serve this community and proud to support The Salvation Army. Please join us this holiday season.

I've worked at the Brainerd Dispatch with various duties since Dec. 7, 1983. Starting off as an Ad Designer and currently Director of Audience Development. The Dispatch has been an interesting and challenging place to work. I'm fortunate to have made many friends, both co-workers and customers.